Pregnant with a toddler? 5 survival tips from mums who have been there
5 tips to make your second pregnancy easier
We all love the idea of a little brother or sister for our child. Visions of giving them somebody to share their childhood with fills us with joy.
So we get pregnant again. It’s wonderful, the anticipation! Until the fatigue hits us (not to mention nausea, shortness of breath, indigestion and all the other things mums have to suffer through).
It’s tough having a little human to keep up with when all you want to do is sleep. Those are long days - we feel you!!
So I asked my Instagram followers how they managed to survive pregnancy the second (or third, fourth) time round with a toddler in tow. Here are some of their suggestions:
Accept offers of help!
If someone offers help, take it!! They may not have really meant it - that doesn’t matter. Put them to work - cleaning and babysitting are good starters!
2. Make your partner do more stuff
Delegate as much to your partner as you can. Get them take on more of the load so that you can get a break. Cooking, cleaning, taking little one out while you nap… there’s nothing wrong with watching TV while they get on with it either. You are growing a baby after all!
3. Relax screen time rules
As long as it’s not harmful content, I’d opt for extra screen time if it means you can just chill for a while. Drop the guilt, and fear that you’ll ruin them for life. They’ll be fine, and if they’re not, you’ll have more energy to deal with it once you’re not pregnant any more.
4. Creative play time
Come up with games that involve your bump while you’re sitting (or better yet, reclining). It can be a hill for cars to drive over for example. Or get some little star stickers and let them stick stars all over you. It may take half an hour to get them all off afterwards, or you can just wait for them to fall off - they will eventually.
5. Soft play
I used to take my toddler to Jungle Jacks where I could sit while he went off to play. This will backfire if you don’t have a child old enough to be independent, so definitely not for everyone.
This mum made it look so easy during her maternity session for baby number 2, due in a couple of months. It always reminds me of how strong mothers are, or have to be! Somehow we get on with it, and endure the hard parts - always putting our little ones first.
No matter what, you’ll get through this and it will all be a fading memory soon.
If you’re a Cornwall mum and want to have some photos taken to remember it by, get in touch about a maternity session! I’d love to hear from you.